Vise Recommendation for under $100

[BrandoJames]

I really know nothing about vises, but would like to buy one & bolt it into my garage table. I do mostly DIY car repair & riding mower repair, would like to keep the vise purchase under $100.

I've got a Lowes, Home Depot, and Harbor Freight nearby. Any recommendations would be appreciated. I've been looking at this Dewalt at Home Depot for $60.

 

[Professional Tool User]

If you can find a used vice that isn't beat up and not made in a third world country, for around $50 give or take, go with that. I'm currently in the middle of repainting a Made in England Record No. 34P. If not, a Made in China vice from a big box store will be fine as long as you don't beat on it.

 

[DFB]

Oh just get one of those generic Chinese rotating ones from Harbor Fright

Home Depot online has quite a few vise offerings and some Yost AS vises available not sure what they might have in the store though.

But less face your gonna be often told to go find a second hand USA made one

 

[jumbojak]

I have an Irwin 6" that would work just fine for your purposes. Don't overthink it. A nice vice is nice to have but for general use a vise you find on the shelf will work.

 

[DFB]

That Dewalt vise you added the picture of is pretty generic and a lot of names brand the same one

Here's a link to the YOST AS in 5"

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Yost-5-...ERCH=REC-_-pipsem-_-202786369-_-202786363-_-N


I have owned the 6" version for decades.

 

[CafeTools]

Bessey from HD is the best one...

 

[jayemm]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G57P2QL/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Check this out.You won't do better for the price

THIS IS A SMOKIN' DEAL

 

[may0naise]

I really like the yost RAV 5 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015KP2KI4/?tag=atomicindus08-20 or if you prefer Homedepot https://www.homedepot.com/p/Yost-5-in-Rapid-Action-Bench-Vise-5-RAV/300903023 Made of ductile iron, so it is a stronger casting then most "grey iron" vises. it also has a 7" jaw opening so it can hold bigger stuff. I like the quick release so I can open and close it fast. and at less than $50 It is probably the best quality vs cost vise you can find. for a general home owners vise it will last forever IMO. As a bonus, if you do break it you spent very little on it and now know you probably need a much higher end one

 

[jayemm]

may0naise --- Although the Yost opens wider,the Forward is built heavier and weighs twice as much (approx 38 lbs not including packaging vs. 19 lbs shown for Yost) and it looks identical to the square back Craftsman Pro vise. Choice depends on one's needs but the Yost is an attractive vise for the price.

 

[Parrothead]

Take a look at this video. Some of the cheaper vises held up better than expected

 

[Shadowdog500]

If my vise ever breaks I plan to get this 6” Wilton bench vise for $103 from Amazon. It is made of steel and has a lifetime warranty.

Wilton 11106 Wilton Bench Vise, Jaw Width 6-Inch, Jaw Opening 6-Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001022GRM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have this same vise in 4” that was sold my MIT years ago and it’s been on my bench for a couple decades and is still going strong.

 

[Shelbylex]

Get a used US made vise from CL, clean it up and use it. If you want a new look - restore.
You can get amazing one for little money if you have time to search.

 

[Legion Prime]

Here's a 6 1/2" Wilton for under $100 on Amazon warehouse.
https://www.amazon.com/Wilton-11128-2-Inch-Steel-Utility/dp/B0008JF9Q8
It's not one of their USA made vises but you're not likely to get one of them new for under $100. It's roughly equivalent to the one Shadow Dog posted but it's slightly larger and through Amazon warehouse, slightly cheaper. Either will certainly be better than no vise and hold you over until you can find something better on CL.

 

[evintho]

For car and lawn mower work the smallest vise you want would be a 4". That's jaw width. Bigger is always better but the price goes up exponentially. The off shore stuff will last for a few years but will eventually fall apart! Go American. That would be used via CL/Offer up/Facebook/etc.
You list your location as Tornado Alley so I assume, Kansas.
Checking the KC Craigslist I found these decent candidates in your price range...……….

https://kansascity.craigslist.org/tls/d/overland-park-vintage-columbian-4-bench/6999503459.html

https://kansascity.craigslist.org/tls/d/kansas-city-reed-4-vise/6993693130.html

https://kansascity.craigslist.org/tls/d/independence-columbian-bench-vise/6991376697.html

https://ksu.craigslist.org/tls/d/fort-riley-vintage-anvil-vise/6979238143.html

Columbian and Reed are quality vises.

 

[BrandoJames]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G57P2QL/?tag=atomicindus08-20 Check this out.You won't do better for the price THIS IS A SMOKIN' DEAL

Jaye, just the shipping & import costs on that vise is $172 (from Netherlands).

 

[BrandoJames]

Oh just get one of those generic Chinese rotating ones from Harbor Fright Home Depot online has quite a few vise offerings and some Yost AS vises available not sure what they might have in the store though.But less face your gonna be often told to go find a second hand USA made one

I know a U.S.A. made vise will be over $100, but when buying tools I prefer Taiwan over China. Is there a Taiwan made vise under $100. Most of the web ads I'm looking at don't show COO. Thanks.

 

[exmaxima1]

If my vise ever breaks I plan to get this 6” Wilton bench vise for $103 from Amazon. It is made of steel and has a lifetime warranty.

Wilton 11106 Wilton Bench Vise, Jaw Width 6-Inch, Jaw Opening 6-Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001022GRM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have this same vise in 4” that was sold my MIT years ago and it’s been on my bench for a couple decades and is still going strong.

I'm seeing a trend where many vises lately claim to be made of steel (rather than cast iron). This Wilton certainly does not appear to be made of steel, nor does the model 11128 which also reads "steel" in the Amazon ad. I suspect it is the sellers that have no idea what they are selling, and print nonsense. BTW, the Wilton website says the 11106 is made of cast iron.

https://www.wiltontools.com/us/en/p/general-purpose-6-jaw-bench-vise-with-swivel-base/11106

 

[Parrothead]

If my vise ever breaks I plan to get this 6” Wilton bench vise for $103 from Amazon. It is made of steel and has a lifetime warranty.

Wilton 11106 Wilton Bench Vise, Jaw Width 6-Inch, Jaw Opening 6-Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001022GRM/?tag=atomicindus08-20.

I'm seeing a trend where many vises lately claim to be made of steel (rather than cast iron). This Wilton certainly does not appear to be made of steel, nor does the model 11128 which also reads "steel" in the Amazon ad. I suspect it is the sellers that have no idea what they are selling, and print nonsense. BTW, the Wilton website says the 11106 is made of cast iron.

https://www.wiltontools.com/us/en/p/general-purpose-6-jaw-bench-vise-with-swivel-base/11106

Just something to keep in mind, Wilton lists that vise as “light duty” right in their description.

Ideal for :
General Purpose
Home Shop
Light Duty Use
Weekend Projects

 

[DFB]

I know a U.S.A. made vise will be over $100, but when buying tools I prefer Taiwan over China. Is there a Taiwan made vise under $100. Most of the web ads I'm looking at don't show COO. Thanks.

BRANDO JAMES the Yost AS series I've linked you to all have Taiwan as COO


You can see that for yourself at the Yost website for confirmation


https://www.yostvises.com/products/bench-vises/workshop-grade/all-steel-vises.html

Just as an FYI the Yost web site list prices are much higher than these same vises can be sourced for through places such as Amazon or Home Depot

 

[exmaxima1]

If my vise ever breaks I plan to get this 6” Wilton bench vise for $103 from Amazon. It is made of steel and has a lifetime warranty.

Wilton 11106 Wilton Bench Vise, Jaw Width 6-Inch, Jaw Opening 6-Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001022GRM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have this same vise in 4” that was sold my MIT years ago and it’s been on my bench for a couple decades and is still going strong.

I'm seeing a trend where many vises lately claim to be made of steel (rather than cast iron). This Wilton certainly does not appear to be made of steel, nor does the model 11128 which also reads "steel" in the Amazon ad. I suspect it is the sellers that have no idea what they are selling, and print nonsense. BTW, the Wilton website says the 11106 is made of cast iron.

https://www.wiltontools.com/us/en/p/general-purpose-6-jaw-bench-vise-with-swivel-base/11106

 

[Shadowdog500]

I'm seeing a trend where many vises lately claim to be made of steel (rather than cast iron). This Wilton certainly does not appear to be made of steel, nor does the model 11128 which also reads "steel" in the Amazon ad. I suspect it is the sellers that have no idea what they are selling, and print nonsense. BTW, the Wilton website says the 11106 is made of cast iron.

https://www.wiltontools.com/us/en/p/general-purpose-6-jaw-bench-vise-with-swivel-base/11106

The vendor is Wilton and the attachemnt from Wilton says that it is made of steel.??? It also says steel everywhere else I can find that vise sold.???
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/614lDcJVitL.pdf

I wonder if this is Wilton Wonky marketing, like convincing people that thier $400 made in china Tradesman is the same as the $2000 made in USA version. Fireball tools video showed that was wrong!

 

[BrandoJames]

BRANDO JAMES the Yost AS series I've linked you to all have Taiwan as COO You can see that for yourself at the Yost website for confirmation Just as an FYI the Yost web site list prices are much higher than these same vises can be sourced for through places such as Amazon or Home Depot

Ah ok, I see that the Taiwan made Yost 905-AS/5" is only $73 at Home Depot (about half the price listed on Yost's website). Very nice.

Another newbie question for anyone: will the vise typically come with mounting bolts or will I need to buy the bolts/washers/nuts. Thanks.

 

[exmaxima1]

The vendor is Wilton and the attachemnt from Wilton says that it is made of steel.??? It also says steel everywhere else I can find that vise sold.???
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/614lDcJVitL.pdf

I wonder if this is Wilton Wonky marketing, like convincing people that thier $400 made in china Tradesman is the same as the $2000 made in USA version. Fireball tools video showed that was wrong!

"Made from high strength steel" is accurate for the spindle and hold down clamps. The rest is cast iron.

 

[Parrothead]

Ah ok, I see that the Taiwan made Yost 905-AS/5" is only $73 at Home Depot (about half the price listed on Yost's website). Very nice.

Another newbie question for anyone: will the vise typically come with mounting bolts or will I need to buy the bolts/washers/nuts. Thanks.

You’ll need your own bolts/washers/nuts

Your mounting situation and use will determine how you attach it to the work surface. I’d recommend some strap steel underneath vs washers to help distribute the force if going into a wood top, but that’s just me. Grade 8 hardware if available, but regular bolts work fine too. Double nut so they don’t come loose.

 

[Slednut]

My SIL found this Columbian on CL for me, it was $35.

 

[DSLTRK]

Jaye, just the shipping & import costs on that vise is $172 (from Netherlands).

I checked it again and it states free shipping on my computer.

Not a bad deal if you can source this vice for the same amount. Looks like the same OEM of the Craftsman vises many fawned over a few years back.

 

[redragoon]

We have the cheaper Wiltons at work. Every single one has some sort of issue after light use. I wouldn't buy anything other than a bullet version.

Learn some information about the old vises from the threads here and look around CL and flea markets.

Bound to find a solid USA one for under $100. Just remember that the jaw width will be smaller for the overall size as this is the source of their strength. I trust my 4.5" Monarch far more than those red 6" Wiltons.

 

[jayemm]

DSLTRK -- not only is it "not a bad deal" it's actually a very good deal.It's not easy to find a vise at this price weighing close to 40 lbs that is made of ductile iron (twice the strength of the usual cast iron and also bends before it breaks as opposed to the potentially dangerous instantaneous fracture of cast iron),has close tolerance machining in the moveable jaw,360* toothed swivel base with dual holddowns and real toothed ,replaceable pipe jaws.Also the jaws have fine teeth as opposed to flat diamond texture of other chinese vises.Alot of vises in the 61.99$ range are POS in comparison.

 

[BrandoJames]

I checked it again and it states free shipping on my computer.

Yep, free shipping--sorry. My Opera browser had VPN turned on; I think that freaked out the Amazon shipping algorithm.

 

[DSLTRK]

DSLTRK -- not only is it "not a bad deal" it's actually a very good deal.It's not easy to find a vise at this price weighing close to 40 lbs that is made of ductile iron (twice the strength of the usual cast iron and also bends before it breaks as opposed to the potentially dangerous instantaneous fracture of cast iron),has close tolerance machining in the moveable jaw,360* toothed swivel base with dual holddowns and real toothed ,replaceable pipe jaws.Also the jaws have fine teeth as opposed to flat diamond texture of other chinese vises.Alot of vises in the 61.99$ range are POS in comparison.

Based on the pictures, subjective I know, I think the Amazon link you posted is a much better vise than the HF Yost. The weight also indicates that.

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

 

[Shadowdog500]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G57P2QL/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Check this out.You won't do better for the price

THIS IS A SMOKIN' DEAL

If all of that informatin in that Amazon ad is correct that is a good vise for a good price.

A 4" vise is good enough for doing most automotive work. Ive been using a 4" vise for years in my shop with no problem.

My dad used a 3.5" Wilton 643 since the 60s and it did everything he wanted it to do. I have it now but think 3.5" is a tad on the small side.

 

[DFB]

Take a look at this video. Some of the cheaper vises held up better than expected

Was one of the better video's

 

[giants]

Thanks. I found a Columbian No 3040 4" Bench Vise, but can't see its country of origin. Is that likely US made?

Same with Rock Island #704?

Also, does Columbian have lifetime warranties on those old bench vises?

 

[1982fxr]

Thanks. I found a Columbian No 3040 4" Bench Vise, but can't see its country of origin. Is that likely US made?

Same with Rock Island #704?

Also, does Columbian have lifetime warranties on those old bench vises?

No lifetime warranty and parts can be hard or impossible to get for some of their stuff.

As far as anyone seems to know it looks like the Columbian line has been killed off.

 

[giants]

How about This Tekton 4", made in China, but has t-shaped jaws and a lifetime warranty?

https://www.tekton.com/swivel-bench-vises?size=4-in

 

[Steve_P]

Buy the DeWalt vise in the video. No need to waste time chasing after beat up used USA for the price of the new DeWalt

 

[decableguy2000]

Get the one you can afford now. Beat the hell out of it while still searching for the a nice US made vice. They are out there , and deals are possible. I have used and abused a Harbor freight 5" vise for 15 years. Only reason I replaced it, is because I landed a like new 6 1/2" Wilton tradesman.

 

[giants]

Thanks. The Harbor Freights only have 90 day warranties. Like my cousin says, "if you don't have bad luck, you wouldn't have any luck at all," and I'd probably break it on day 91

Newbie question here: do the 4", 5", and 6" refer to the length of the teeth or how wide it can open?

Should I also buy jaw covers?

I found these, reportedly made in the US:
Columbian No 3040 4" for $60
Littlestown No 112 Swivel Base for $40
Wilton Scout Bench Vise 4-1/2" for $70 (teeth look only horizontal)
Rock Island 704 $50
Wilton made in Taiwan 4" Tilt Vise $40

Which might be best and what's a reasonable price?

 

[Dumber than lumber]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G57P2QL/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Check this out.You won't do better for the price

THIS IS A SMOKIN' DEAL

Cracks me up when I see "Free Returns" on stuff like this.
Just order one of each, and see which one you like best.
Return the other two.

 

[davethorik]

Thanks. The Harbor Freights only have 90 day warranties. Like my cousin says, "if you don't have bad luck, you wouldn't have any luck at all," and I'd probably break it on day 91

Newbie question here: do the 4", 5", and 6" refer to the length of the teeth or how wide it can open?

Should I also buy jaw covers?

I found these, reportedly made in the US:
Columbian No 3040 4" for $60
Littlestown No 112 Swivel Base for $40
Wilton Scout Bench Vise 4-1/2" for $70 (teeth look only horizontal)
Rock Island 704 $50
Wilton made in Taiwan 4" Tilt Vise $40

Which might be best and what's a reasonable price?

Vises are referred to by jaw width.
Out of those vises you listed...which are all light duty "homeowner grade"...the king of that heap is the Columbian, but the swivel locks aren't the strongest and will slip if you have a tendency to get a little rough sometimes.